Potential candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 points on a point grid that measures education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability factors, and whether the candidate has an arranged job offer from a Nova Scotia-based employer.

Selection factor	Points
Education	Maximum 25 points
Ability in English and/or French	Maximum 28 points
Work experience	Maximum 15 points
Age	Maximum 12 points
Arranged employment in Nova Scotia	Maximum 10 points
Adaptability	Maximum 10 points
Total	Maximum 100 points
Pass mark:	67 points

Factor 1: Education

Candidates must have a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential OR a completed foreign educational credential from a recognized institution or authority AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by CIC.

An ECA is used to verify that the foreign degree, diploma, certificate (or other proof of credentials) is valid and equal to a completed credential in Canada. The ECA report will also indicate the authenticity of the foreign educational credential(s).

Education	Points
Doctoral (PhD) level	25
University-level credential at the Master’s level OR an entry-to-practice professional degree For entry-to-practice professional degrees, the degree program must have been in: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine; Dentistry; Podiatry; Optometry; Law; Chiropractic Medicine; and Pharmacy. AND The related occupation must be: NOC 2016 Skill Level A, and licensed by a provincial regulatory body	23
Two or more post-secondary credentials (at least one must be for a program of at least three years).	22
Post-secondary credential for a program of three years or longer	21
Two-year post-secondary credential	19
One-year post-secondary credential	15
Secondary school education credential (also called high school)	5
Less than secondary school	Ineligible

Factor 2: Ability in English and/or French

Candidates can earn up to 28 points for their skills in English and French. They will be given points based on abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Candidates can also earn points for their official second language capacity. To earn points for skills in both English and French, language test results for each language must be provided at the same time.

Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of receipt at the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) and at application for permanent residence to IRCC.

Language test results must come from one of the following designated testing agencies:

• English:
• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test only)
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)
• French:
• TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

Applicants are required to meet the minimum level of CLB 7 (for their first official language in all four language areas). To get points for the second official language, they must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 (in all four language areas).

First official language	Points
	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
CLB level 9 or higher	6	6	6	6
CLB level 8	5	5	5	5
CLB level 7	4	4	4	4
Below CLB level 7	Not eligible to apply

Second official language	Points
At least CLB 5 in all of the four abilities	4
CLB 4 or less in any of the four abilities	0

Factor 3: Work Experience

The Candidate's Canadian or international work experience must be:

• At least one year (1,560 hours), continuous full-time or an equal amount in continuous part-time;
• Paid work (volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count);
• In the same occupation;
• Within the last six years before the application to the NSOI and the application for permanent residence to IRCC; and
• In NOC 2011 Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system used to classify jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills and work setting for different jobs.

Work Experience	Points
Less than 1 year	Ineligible
1 year	9
2-3 years	11
4-5 years	13
6 or more years	15

Factor 4: Age

Candidates earn points based on their age on the day that their application is received by the NSOI.

Age	Points
Under 18 years	Ineligible
18-35 years	12
36 years	11
37 years	10
38 years	9
39 years	8
40 years	7
41 years	6
42 years	5
43 years	4
44 years	3
45 years	2
46 years	1
47 years and older	0

Factor 5: Arranged Employment in Nova Scotia

Candidates will receive points if they have a valid offer of arranged employment from a Nova Scotia employer. If the occupation is a regulated occupation in the province, the NSOI must be satisfied that the candidate can be expected to qualify for licensing/certification in Nova Scotia.

A valid offer of employment must be:
Made by one employer For continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week); For work that is: located in Nova Scotia for a minimum one year following the issuance of the permanent resident visa not seasonal; and in an occupation in skill level type 0, A, or B of the 2016 NOC.

The job must:

• Have a compensation package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates;
• Be a position for which there is a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens; and
• Not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements or be in any employment disputes.

In addition, the candidate must meet one of the following:

• The employer making you the job offer has a valid positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada that approves the offer and names you and your position

OR

• You are currently working in Canada in a NOC 0, A or B job on a work permit that was issued based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment, and
• you are working for an employer listed on your work permit, o you are authorized to work in Canada on the day you apply for a permanent resident visa, and when the visa is issued, and o your current employer made you an offer to give you a full-time job for at least one year if you are accepted as a permanent resident

OR

• You have a valid work permit for a NOC 0, A or B job that is exempt from needing an LMIA, and you:
• are currently working for the employer specified on the work permit o have one year of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) for that employer and o have a valid job offer from that employer for at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued.

Criteria and Requirements for the Employer

If claiming points for arranged employment, the Nova Scotia employer must meet the following requirements:

• The business has a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia;
• The business must have been in operation in Nova Scotia, under current management, for at least two years;
• The employer must have a history of good workplace and business practices, including compliance with employment, immigration, health and safety standards and regulations;
• The employer must be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations;
• The employer must make a full-time, continuous, paid work job offer to the candidate; The job must:
• Be NOC Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of the 2016 NOC,
• Be located in Nova Scotia,
• Have a compensation package that meets provincial employment standards and prevailing wage rates,
• Be a position for which there is a shortage of qualified permanent residents or Canadian citizens to fill the position,
• Not contravene any existing bargaining unit agreements, labour agreements/standards or be in any employment disputes.
• The employer must demonstrate satisfactory recruitment efforts to fill the position with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The employer must provide a copy of a current LMIA.

Additionally, when reviewing an application, the NSOI will take into consideration support offered to the candidate by the employer. Support may be in the form of financial or non-financial assistance. Some examples of support and retention efforts include settlement assistance, career training plans, coverage or contribution to immigration fees, and others.

Factor 6: Adaptability

Candidates can claim points for their accompanying spouse or common-law partner. However, candidates cannot claim points for a spouse who is living in Canada or a Canadian citizen. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded under this factor, regardless of how many criteria a candidate qualifies for.

Adaptability	Points
Arranged employment (principal applicant only) Points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment.	5
Candidate's previous study in Nova Scotia The candidate completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week. Candidates must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.	5
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous study in Nova Scotia The candidate's spouse or common-law partner completed at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program of at least two years in duration) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Nova Scotia in the past five years. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and the spouse or common-law partner must have remained in good academic standing (as defined by the school) during the period of full-time study in Nova Scotia.	5
Candidate's previous work in Nova Scotia The candidate completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Nova Scotia in the past five years: In an occupation in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B of NOC; and With a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.	10
Spouse or common-law partner’s previous work in Nova Scotia The candidate's spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of one year of authorized, full-time work in Nova Scotia in the past five years.	5
Relatives in Nova Scotia The candidate or, if applicable, his/her spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Nova Scotia and is 19 years or older. Acceptable forms of relatives include: parent, grandparent, brother/sister, aunt/uncle, and niece/nephew.	5
Spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency The candidate's spouse or common-law partner’s level of language proficiency in either English or French is at the CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). To receive these points, candidates must submit a copy of the language test results from a designated testing agency with their application. Results must not be more than two years old on the date that the application is received. The language test results must remain valid through the assessment process with the NSOI and remain valid throughout the submission of a complete application for permanent residence with IRCC.	5

• 1. This first step to applying for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream is to create a profile with IRCC's online Express Entry system. A candidate's Express Entry profile number and job seeker code are necessary for the application.
• 2. Next, candidates will need to submit all the requested documents along with the application electronically through Nova Scotia's online service. It is important to ensure all requested documents are completed, signed and translated by a certified translator (if required). Candidates may have to attend an in-person interview in Nova Scotia.
• 3. Once an application is received, the NSOI begins the process by conducting a completion check. After conducting a full review and evaluation of the application, the NSOI will communicate a decision of nomination or refusal to the candidate (or representative) via email. If a nomination is issued, the candidate will have 30 days to accept the nomination in his or her Express Entry profile. Candidates who are being considered for refusal will receive an Intent to refuse letter from the NSOI and will have 10 business days to provide additional information.
• 4. Following the acceptance of a nomination, candidates nominated by the province will obtain an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Nominees will have 90 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence and provide all the supporting documents to the federal government. If approved for permanent residence, applicants and their spouses/partners and dependants will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent residence, which must be submitted to the NSOI within 30 days of arrival in Nova Scotia along with other required documents.

Candidates should not apply if they are:

• A person who has received a nomination under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program dated within the last 12 months;
• Intending to work in an occupation that is a NOC skill level C or D;
• A grand-parent, parent, spouse, common-law or conjugal partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada;
• An applicant under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, a refugee claimant or a failed refugee claimant;
• In Canada illegally, under a removal order, or are prohibited from entering or being in Canada;
• An individual who does not have legal status in Canada (candidates are not eligible to apply until their status has been restored);
• An international student currently studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution;
• An international graduate who has studied in Canada, whose studies have been sponsored by an agency or government and who is contractually obligated to return to their country of origin;
• On a valid federal post-graduation work permit whose occupation falls under NOC skill level C or D;
• An individual with unresolved custody or child support disputes affecting any dependent;
• In a sales position that is based solely on commission for compensation;
• A seasonal, part-time or casual worker;
• An individual whose job is not based in Nova Scotia;
• A helper and/or labourer in construction, agriculture or primary resources sectors;
• An individual in Canada who is in the Caregiver Program;
• Intending to start a business and/or be self-employed in Nova Scotia;
• A passive investor (an individual who intends to invest in a Nova Scotia business with very limited or no involvement in the day-to-day management of the business); or
• Unable to provide proof of required amount of funds.